Ten-man England managed to beat Mexico 3-2 in a World Cup classic at the Azteca, with Jude Bellingham’s brace and Harry Kane’s penalty enough to give the Three Lions the lead.
It will take some time for both teams to recover from a simply wonderful game in the impregnable fortress of Mexico.
With the match delayed an hour due to inclement weather, Mexico started brightly but it was England who scored twice in 99 seconds against Bellingham, silencing the rowdy crowd of more than 80,000 fans.
Both goals came from crosses, Buyako Saka the first and Harry Kane the second, as Mexico were stunned.
However, Azteca erupted minutes later when Julian Quiñones scored after England failed to convert a free-kick, hanging on for dear life as the hosts tried to equalize.
England’s task became much more difficult after the break when Jarell Quansa was shown a deserved straight red card for a terrible tackle in the corner.
However, despite this, England scored again when Kane gave away a penalty after Raul Rangel brought down Anthony Gordon.
Jude Bellingham (right) scored two goals in 99 seconds to give England a 2-0 half-time lead. (Getty Images: Julian Finney)
England may have felt their two-goal cushion was defendable but, surprisingly, the drama was not over as Kane was punished for a challenge inside the penalty area, giving Mexico a lifeline.
Raul Jimenez converted the penalty and the final 20 minutes were incredibly tense, helped by a whopping 11 minutes of stoppage time.
Mexico threw everything they had into England’s defence, but the Three Lions held on and held off the World Cup hosts, who lost a competitive game at their spiritual home for just the third time in history.
“It was a crazy game,” Harry Kane told the BBC.
“We had to fight and we had to find something.
“The event, the team, everything is against us, we found a way.”
Earlier, two goals from Erling Haaland gave Norway a 2-1 win over five-time winners Brazil in New Jersey.
England and Norway will meet in the quarter-finals in Miami.
See how all the actions unfolded in our live blog.
Mon, 6 Jul 2026, 10:57
Mon, 6 Jul 2026, 10:57
Mexico vs England
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:58
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:58
England reach the quarter-finals
(Getty Images)
Well, it’s been a day, hasn’t it?
England struggled to beat Mexico while Norway punished Brazil with a dominant performance at the back of their talismanic centre-forward Erling Haaland.
Norway and England will meet in the quarter-finals in Miami.
We’ll be back tomorrow for the 5am AEST kick-off between Iberian neighbors Portugal and Spain.
But until then, there’s plenty of content on the ABC Sport page to get your teeth into.
Thank you for being with us.
Let’s do this all over again tomorrow, okay?
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:52
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:52
‘It felt like the stadium almost collapsed’: Bellingham
(Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham talks to the British press, not about Henderson’s fall.
Looks like he’s a little overloaded.
“It’s really hard to put it all together,” he says.
“The 10 men defended the way we defended our box and were impartial in the way we played in their box.
“Moments of great tension in years past, when I watched as a fan, as a child, England would probably have fallen apart, but we stuck together until the last second.
“The players that came on the field, the players that started, hit the ground running and gave it their all. That’s what this team is all about.
“The atmosphere was by far the best I’ve ever played against in international football. This country as a footballing country is great. The reception we received on the plane, although hostile, was wonderful to see how passionate one country can be about its team.”
Bellingham is asked that his clearance on the line is as big as the two goals he has scored.
“It could be. At 2-1 the game was still at the same level, especially when they scored,” he says.
“It felt like the stadium almost collapsed. So it was probably an important clearance, as important as the goals.”
“It’s still one game after another. At the end of the day, it’s just a win in the round of 16.”
“In the quarter-finals Norway pose a different threat, some of whom we know very well, there are world class players there so we will have to be ready.”
He also says the England team will enjoy the evening.
“My God, if you can’t enjoy a night like this, even just for one night, then I don’t know what it’s worth.”
He has some advice for England fans at home too.
“Try again and write to your boss to say you won’t be coming in tomorrow.”
By the way, it’s 5:00 am in England now.
(Getty Images)
“I can imagine it’s a bloodbath. No matter where you are from or what you do, I can imagine everyone being together.
“That’s what I dream of – being part of the England team, uniting my country, giving them nights they can enjoy for years to come.”
“I’m so proud of this team. What we did tonight is impressive.”
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:48
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:48
By the way, this is how Henderson got hurt
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:46
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:46
Jude Bellingham is out for the next game.
Hello! You said earlier that Jude Bellingham is out of the next round? Is this true?
– C.J.
So the world channel commentary team was adamant that Jude Bellingham received a late warning in this competition.
Turns out it wasn’t booked.
Instead, the card was shown to Johan Vazquez and Jordan Henderson, who were close to him.
(Getty Images)
I looked at all the statistics providers and none of them had orders for Bellingham.
If he had received a booking, he would have missed the next match because he was also booked in the last game.
But he didn’t, so play it, Jude.
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:43
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:43
Wayne Rooney doesn’t overdo it at all
Former England striker Wayne Rooney believes it shows England are ready to take the next step.
“It showed we have a team capable of winning the World Cup,” he says.
I have to say that this is a completely normal reaction to England not folding in half like a wet paper bag under pressure at the World Cup.
“Believing in that will give these players tremendous strength.”
Although he is not wrong about this.
England’s next match is Norway in Miami on July 12 (AEST).
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:38
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:38
‘Silent’ Harry Kane on ‘crazy game’
(Getty Images)
Harry Kane has apparently lost his voice.
“It was a crazy game,” he told the BBC.
“We had to fight and find something. I just sang and couldn’t speak.
“The event, the team, everything is against us, we found a way.”
He says he thinks the referee gave away a lot of points against England.
“I thought I was going to get to the ball first, it was one of those days. The judge gave us a lot of evidence. In the end it didn’t matter, so I’m happy,” he says.
Hmm, he might have to watch the replay of this match because it was a penalty for Mexico.
He also gives credit to the fans.
“Incredible, incredible support. (I’m) speechless.”
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:35
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:35
“Full speed ahead” for England: “Very proud” Tuchel
Here is Thomas Tuchel, England coach.
“Very proud,” he says.
“We needed everything. It was very difficult. In those moments when we thought we would catch the momentum, we had setbacks. This is the right mentality.
“This team really means it.
“When the going gets tough, they never give up, they never lose faith. This was another step.
“We need to take this into account. This is Azteca, this is Mexico, crazy game.
“We left everything there, every one of us. We need to accept this, everything is in full swing now.”
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:27
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:27
The England player stretched out after the celebration
Sports reporter David Ornstein tweeted that Jordan Henderson fell during the celebration and was sprained.
This doesn’t look too good.
Although Harry Kane just told the BBC he’s fine.
“Jordan (Henderson) just fell, I think he’s fine, just something happened to his arm,” he says.
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:20
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:20
England and their fans sing Wonderwall
(Getty Images)
There are many happy England fans at the Azteca Stadium.
They’re all singing the Oasis track Wonderwall now.
It’s a moment neither of them will ever forget.
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:19
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:19
Historical victory
This is only the third time Mexico has lost to Azteca in a competitive match.
And England did it with a player down for half an hour.
Unusual.
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:18
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:18
Photos of agony and ecstasy that are very striking
Mon, 6 Jul 2026, 13:15
Mon, 6 Jul 2026, 13:15
Pickford should be man of the match
Man of the match – Jordan Pickford.
– Philip
I would say so, Philip.
His saves were exceptional.
But considering who has already won trophies at this tournament, who knows.
(Getty Images)Mon Jul 6, 2026 1:13 pm
Mon, 6 Jul 2026, 13:13
I hope not
Will Queens be allowed to play in the next game or is this privilege only available to Trump’s comrades?
– Craig
I don’t think Sir Keir is on as good terms with Infantino as Trump is…
But honestly, he shouldn’t be allowed to do that, no matter what.
It was a terrifying ordeal that could potentially break a leg.
The Qatari player who broke Sane’s leg has been suspended for five matches.
There must be at least three of them.
Mon, 6 Jul 2026, 13:11
Mon, 6 Jul 2026, 13:11
“What an incredible night”
Alan Shearer comments for the BBC.
He, as one would expect, is in seventh heaven.
“These players represented their country in superb form tonight,” he says.
“Every player had the right attitude.
“Everything that could go against them, everything that was thrown at them, the energy, the height, they overcame it all and they deserved it.
“This is an incredible performance from start to finish.
“When they were under threat, the coach made the right changes. The substitutes came out and did their job.”
“What an incredible night.”
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:06
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:06
ENGLAND WON!
THE FULL STORY IS ROOMING!
ENGLAND HAS MADE AN ARILGARD FOR THE CENTURIES!
HEARTBROKEN MEXICO—THIS HIM STADIUM IS QUIET AND STILL.
WHAT A GAME.
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:05
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:05
90+13′ PICKFORD SHOTS CLEARLY!
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:05
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:05
90+12′ Another corner
The goalkeeper comes in and Dan Byrne sends the ball in for another corner!
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:05
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:05
90+11′ CHANCE MEXICO!
STONES WITH A HUGE MOMENT!
The ball was at the feet of Raul Jimenez and he couldn’t hit the goal!
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:04
Mon, 6 July 2026, 13:04
90+9′ England defend corner
It was a dangerous corner, the ball was spinning around and Pickford had to get up and collect it.
It could have gone anywhere.
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